Crews clear trees and brush creating wide paths of bare soil called dozer guards at the Long Lake wildfire. Photo by Nova Scotia GovernmentArticle contentThe shifting wind is making it difficult for firefighters to control the wildfire burning out of control at Long Lake, and it could mean a push back toward the West Dalhousie Road area.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe wildfire grew to 3,255 hectares on Saturday.Article contentArticle content“That does represent some growth from yesterday,” said Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection with the Department of Natural Resources. “With the winds that shifted east and then northeast yesterday, that pushed parts of the fire westerly. We saw a bit of growth there and that accounts for the new size.”Article contentArticle contentA wind shift out of the south could present a risk to the evacuated area of West Dalhousie Road, said Tingley.Article content“We have to address where the fire spreads, particularly on the western flank,” said Tingley. “The fires spread a little to the west yesterday and the priority now is to try and shore that up, particularly on the north side of that spread. When the wind does shift again more out of the south, southwest, crews and the team are trying to mitigate any spreads, any chance that the fire can spread to the north, protecting values of risk up along that West Dalhousie Road, including the command post this team is operating out of.”Article contentArticle contentJim Rudderham, director of fleet and forest protection, said crews were slightly affected by hurricane Erin on Friday, but they ‘got through better than they expected.’Article contentArticle content“We weren’t set to receive a direct hit from the hurricane, but we were in the outer flow of the hurricane,” said Tingley. “It did result in a shift in the winds and an increase in the speed and shift to the north. That has passed, so we are back into a shift into a south-westerly flow.”Article contentTingley expects an increase in wind on Sunday, with some drier air.Article contentA forecast of rain on Monday could bring some help to the crews, but Rudderham said it won’t extinguish the fire.Article content“We will take any kind of rain we can,” said Rudderham. “We don’t know the amounts for sure and won’t know until Monday after it happens.Article content“We needed extended rain for multiple days before it has any real effect on this wildfire or on the fire ban or woods travel restrictions. One day of rain isn’t going to change anything, but it will help and we will take it. We need extended rain before anything drastic is going to change with the fire situation in this province.”
Shifting winds could direct Long Lake wildfire back toward West Dalhousie Road
